Boys Basketball: Bloomfield Bobcats get redemption against Aztec

Shiprock stunned by Miyamura

FARMINGTON — The Bloomfield Bobcats got a bit of redemption on Tuesday night.

Just a few weeks after losing to Aztec (5-8) by 26 points at home, the Bobcats (3-7) defeated the Tigers in Aztec 57-53.

"It was a good win for us. The guys worked really hard over break," said Bloomfield head coach Devon Manning. "I am glad we didn't have any games over the break, because we needed all the practice time we could get."

Manning said his team made offensive and defensive adjustments, but the biggest key to Tuesday's win was his team's fight.

"We were down by 10 at halftime, but the guys kept battling. We are a completely different team than we were before the break. I hope we can carry that intensity and even kick it up another notch," Manning said.

Bloomfield hit 6-of-8 fourth quarter free throws with four different boys stepping up to knock down free throws in big situations.

Raymundo Sanchez led the Bobcats with 13 points. Malachi Pablo and Christian Chavez added 11 points each in the win.

"It was a team effort, so it was good to see a few guys score in double digits," Manning said.

Bloomfield is back in action in Aztec again on Thursday in the first round of Aztec's Rumble in the Jungle tournament.

"We open with Bayfield, and they beat us pretty bad the first time we played them, too. They have size like Aztec, so we have to be ready," Manning said.

Miyamura 61, Shiprock 55

The Shiprock Chieftains lost a disappointing game in Gallup on Tuesday.

Fresh off a close victory against rival Monument Valley, Ariz., the Chieftains hit the road to face Class 4A Miyamura (4-4). Shiprock got out to a shaky start, and a late technical foul in the fourth quarter cost the Chieftains (10-4) a chance at winning late.

"Miyamura was playing very well early. We hung in there and got within two points with just over a minute left, and then we got a technical foul," said Shiprock head coach Chester H. Atcitty Jr. "They made two free throws, got possession back and converted again. That two-point lead became a bigger lead. It was a big turnaround point."

The technical foul was called after a player slammed the ball on the court after being called for a foul.

"He got a nice pass in traffic and put the ball back up and missed. He went back up for a rebound and got called for a foul. He slammed the ball and caught it. He was just trying to motivate himself, but every official has to call that," Atcitty said.

The game was tied 11-11 after one quarter, but the Miyamura Patriots hit several 3-point baskets to take a lead into half. The Patriots shot 5-of-15 from 3-point land in the first half while Shiprock was just 1-for-11.

Deron Johnson and Hiram Gleason led Shiprock with 15 points each. Justin Begay added another 11 points in the loss. Shiprock was without senior guard Darryle Nelson Jr. in the game.

Miyamura hit 14-of-18 free throw attempts in the game.

"We had to foul them late to close the gap, and they hit all their free throws," Atcitty said.

Shiprock is back in action Thursday on the road against Navajo Prep.

Piedra Vista 65, Navajo Prep 55

The Piedra Vista Panthers made the most of a rescheduled game against Navajo Prep.

The Panthers (6-6) got back to .500 on Tuesday night with a 65-55 win at Navajo Prep.

"Starting with a win in 2014 to get back to .500 sure makes it easier," said PV head coach Adam Huff. "We want to get out to a good start and play with intensity the second half of the season."

The game was tied 28-28 at halftime, but the Panthers outscored the Eagles 26-9 in the third quarter to take a good lead.

"I keep challenging the guys to come out and fight and play with intensity. That third quarter was the best we have done that since the Gallup game a long time ago," Huff said.

Dillon Mason led Piedra Vista with 16 points. Troy Dixon added another 15 in the win.

"Mason is new to the varsity team this year. He has been trying to figure it out, but he got nice matchups and figured it out in this one," Huff said. "It would be huge for us if Dixon can get a rhythm going for us."

Piedra Vista will play in the Aztec tournament this weekend, and Huff has hopes of winning the whole tournament.

"We have four games this week. If we could go 4-0, it would put us in a nice position with teams like Los Lunas and Gallup coming up next week leading into the district schedule," Huff said. "We would feel comfortable if we could do that."